Chapter Seventeen: Dividing the Blood Elixir

“This great power of heaven and earth here blesses me to exterminate the evil spirits.”

Left Prime Minister Zhao Yuan held the Imperial Jade Seal, commanding the very heavens and earth around them. Then, hundreds of yellow talismans flew out from the sleeves of his official robe.

With a sharp decree, the talismans ascended into the sky, summoning dark clouds. As more talismans accumulated, the cloud layer thickened, and faint blue lightning flickered within, as if gathering immense power.

The first to sense the threat were the Gu sorceress and the bandaged man, who immediately felt the situation had grown perilous.

The newcomer bore the Imperial Jade Seal atop his head, protected by the imperial aura of the dynasty. Without absolute confidence in a single, fatal strike, any attack would surely rebound. Furthermore, invoking the power of heaven and earth with the lightning-attracting talismans carried the unmistakable scent of divine punishment.

“Old crone, how about we break out together? If we stay any longer, we might truly be struck down by lightning and perish,” the bandaged man proposed.

The Gu sorceress agreed, recalling a vast number of strange and exotic Gu insects.

Watching as the insects, once used against their enemies, all flew back, she opened a bamboo basket strapped to her back.

A swarm of hundreds, even thousands, of golden beetles buzzed, covering her entire body at her command.

The bandaged man was equally surprised by the Gu insects on her, but said nothing. Instead, he produced a seven-layered, earth-colored Linglong Pagoda from his possession.

The spectral image of the Nine-Tailed Fox, seeing the situation, decided there was no longer any need to compete for the pill and quietly dissipated, departing without further interference.

“Gu sorceress, there’s no need to risk everything alongside the corpse-binder. My goal is only the pill. If you stand aside and do not intervene, I guarantee your safety,” Zhao Yuan promised the Gu sorceress.

Though the bandaged man’s expression was hidden, it was easy to imagine the hatred he felt toward Zhao Yuan, grinding his teeth in fury.

“Gu sorceress, don’t listen to his nonsense. How could such disgraceful matters become known to outsiders? If I die, you will surely be purged as well.”

“And you, black wind fiend, do you think turning into an inconspicuous piece of wood will let you escape this calamity? Such wishful thinking! Greed brings its own consequences.”

“Corpse-binder, hand over the pill, or today your physical body will be obliterated. Given your past evils, your soul shall be scorched by karmic flames, denied reincarnation.”

“Must it come to such extremes? If I resist to the death, you will suffer too. You won’t die immediately, but your days are numbered.” The corpse-binder was unwilling to surrender the blood pill he had just obtained.

“Now that the matter has come to this, accept the cleansing of thunder,” Zhao Yuan commanded.

The storm clouds above obeyed, bolts of lightning striking the corpse-binder one after another.

After withstanding the tenth strike, the corpse-binder’s seven-layered Linglong Pagoda shattered completely, crumbling to sand and slipping through his fingers.

“I’m willing to hand over the blood pill and serve you for a hundred years. How’s that?” the corpse-binder softened, addressing Zhao Yuan.

“Hand over the pill and offer your soul imprint. Then I will disperse the clouds and withdraw the talismans,” Zhao Yuan demanded firmly.

“Here.”

The corpse-binder spat out the blood pill and flicked it to Zhao Yuan.

“Soul imprint—”

The corpse-binder struggled for a moment before a lightning bolt struck his head.

“I give—I give, isn’t that enough?” He then lightly touched his brow with his left index finger, and a tiny figure transformed into a light point and flew into Zhao Yuan’s hand.

“Master, why not kill the Gu sorceress now and devour her essence and blood? All to keep this secret,” the corpse-binder quickly shifted attitude, kneeling on one knee and respectfully clasping his fists in plea.

“You miserable wretch! After living so long, you have no backbone.” Though the Gu sorceress despised his behavior, she cautiously released all her Gu insects as a defense against any sudden attack.

The corpse-binder was unbothered. “Knowing when to be humble is wisdom. I’m not ashamed; rather, I take pride in it.”

“Gu sorceress, go. Since I have made a promise to you, I will keep it and will not harm you,” Zhao Yuan waved his hand, casually instructing the three palace attendants to open a breach in the blockade.

At this moment, the black wind fiend who had been using transformation magic saw the chance to escape and instantly became a gust of black wind rushing toward the gap.

“Bold fool, did I say you could leave? Corpse-binder, kill him!” Zhao Yuan’s eyes turned cold, filled with murderous intent as he ordered.

Obediently, the corpse-binder’s bandages loosened rapidly, falling away and shooting out like arrows.

“Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! I was only here for the spectacle—I never wanted the blood pill!” The black wind fiend begged as he ran with all his might.

But there was no mercy. The bandages wrapped around his body, tightening until he was immobilized and unable to breathe.

The corpse-binder gripped one bandage and yanked hard.

“Little mouse, still trying to escape my palm?” he taunted, watching the black wind fiend enclosed in the wrappings.

As the bandages tightened further, the black wind fiend visibly shriveled, losing vitality before their eyes.

The Gu sorceress, witnessing this, dared not linger. Her countless Gu insects swarmed to surround her, flying toward the breach.

“The matter is settled here. It is time for us to leave,” Zhao Yuan said in a low voice.

The three palace attendants swiftly gathered, appearing behind Zhao Yuan in a blink, silently awaiting his next command.

Zhao Yuan spared a glance at the corpse-binder, who immediately understood his intent.

Using the Imperial Jade Seal to channel the power of heaven and earth once more, Zhao Yuan reverted to his original form—stooped and aged.

“Ah, if only I had delayed longer, I wouldn’t be like this now. With my soul imprint in another’s hands and my life controlled, it’s all too late to say anything,” the corpse-binder lamented bitterly, his face tangled with regret, defiance, and helplessness as the bandages bound him tightly.

“Teleportation—”

Only half a quarter of an hour had passed since Zhao Yuan traveled from Linjiang City back to the Wei imperial palace.

Then, within the Wei Emperor’s private chambers, a eunuch arrived to inform that the Left Prime Minister awaited summons in the Offering Hall with the Elixir of Immortality.

Hearing this, the Wei Emperor was overjoyed, almost running without even putting on his shoes. His laughter never ceased along the way.

“My cherished minister, where are you? Truly, I have worried for your safety, fearing you might never return. The Elixir of Immortality is secondary; your health is paramount,” the emperor declared sincerely, with no trace of insincerity.

The moment the Left Prime Minister appeared, he knelt deeply, exclaiming, “Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my mission and retrieved the Elixir of Immortality for you. I hope you will consume it swiftly for the welfare of all the people.”

The emperor, observing his minister’s earnest demeanor, noticed his hair had turned even whiter, and his complexion was pale.

“My dear minister, you have suffered. Today, we shall share the Elixir together. A ruler’s word is bond; I cannot break my promise.”

“Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness.” The Left Prime Minister opened the exquisite wooden box containing the Elixir.

The emperor’s eyes widened in amazement. He immediately ordered, “Quickly divide it into two halves, so we may both share the joy of eternal life.”